The Philippine Blu Girls outlasted New Zealand, 1-0, in eight innings Thursday and advanced to the Super Round of the WBSC Softball Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualifier at the at the Shanghai Sports Training Center in China.
Chelsea Suitos’ single scored Sierra Lange with two outs in the extra frame to help the Blu Girls clinch second place in Group B with a record of two victories and one defeat.
Pitcher Ann Antolihao struck out three batters and allowed just three hits in a no-relief effort as the Blu Girls erased the bitter memory of Wednesday’s 8-3 meltdown against host China.
The Super Round starts on Friday with the Pinay batters taking on Australia, which is already assured of top spot in Group A before wrapping up their campaign Saturday against Taiwan.
Coach Randy Dizer’s Blu Girls must sweep all of its two matches in the Super Round to gain a chance to win the tournament and earn the final spot in next year’s Tokyo Olympics. (Jonas Terrado)